The summer concert season is well under way, and few surprises remain, which makes concert news that cuts through the humidity all the more exciting. Here are a few new blips on the radar that we noticed, despite our holding pattern as we await the official VFest announcements this weekend.

>> We hope you all got your Sleater-Kinney tickets; they sold out so fast that even the formidible Internet prowess of our own Jason Linkins couldn’t snag one. Anybody have better luck?

>> Two nights of Massive Attack, in their first big tour since 1998. September 28 and 29, at the 9:30 Club. To paraphrase DCist Kyle, so best!

>> If you’ve been livin’ your life on a chain for the past 5 years, you’ll be all a flutter to know that Pete Yorn‘s holding an instore at Olsson’s Books and Music in Dupont, on August 7. Since his show at the Birchmere the next night sold out, this may brighten the days of a reader or two.

>> And last but not least, we just got the first hints of information about The District’s Awake! Festival. Held here October 26-29, it promises to “reignite the DC music scene and promote greater visibility on the national radar.” There’s no line up news yet, but we’re looking forward to more details.